Alexander the Great (1956)

Danielle Darrieux: Queen Olympias

Photos 

Quotes 

• Nectenabus : There were signs of greatness at his birth! Quakes and storms shook the earth - and in the skies, a star fell... and two eagles perched upon the roof of the Queen's chamber. And in far-off Asia... the Temple of Ephesus was struck by lightning and burnt to the ground.

  Philip of Macedonia : And how did you read these signs, soothsayer?

  Nectenabus : The two eagles - that he was born to rule two worlds. The burning of the Temple - that a torch was kindled that day that would one day consume all the world. And this torch... your son.

  Philip of Macedonia : And the falling of the star?

  Olympias : That a god was born to me... *of* a god.

• Olympias : [rocking the infant Alexander in his cradle]  Alexander... Alexander... Achilles, too, was born of a god... and at his birth, it was foretold that he would be greater than his father... and he was*. And this destiny shall be yours too, Alexander...

• Alexander : What's all this about my father?

  Olympias : To the sword, the cross, the rack - men who have been his friends for years. Now everyone is his enemy - he accuses everyone of conspiring against him... even me. You'll hear the story, Alexander - you'll hear it from him. But you mustn't believe him, you mustn't... you don't! Do you, Alexander?

  Alexander : Why should he accuse you?

  Olympias : He wants to get rid of me... he's been wanting to for years. He wants to marry again.

  Alexander : Who?

  Olympias : Attalus's niece. You be careful of Attalus - you be careful of all of them. She's no fool - she won't let him throw her away like he's done with all the others. She's young...

  Alexander : Oh, Mother...!

  Olympias : Whatever he asks of you, do. Whatever he says, agree with. For when you're regent...

  [she smiles] 

  Olympias : *when you're regent*... then, *we'll* rule the land.

  Alexander : *We*?

  [Olympias's face falls] 

• Olympias : My father once asked what a man should do to hand his name down to posterity. He replied kill the person who has accomplished the greatest deeds, and then, whenever that person is spoken of, he too will be remembered.